More than 600 of the region’s business leaders gathered at the WIN Entertainment Centre tonight to celebrate the outstanding achievements of local enterprises at the 2025 IMB Bank Illawarra Business Awards. 

Now in its 31st year, the Awards remain the Illawarra’s most prestigious recognition of business success, showcasing the innovation, resilience and leadership that underpin the region’s economy. 

Executive Director of Business Illawarra, Coralie McCarthy, said the Awards highlighted the strength and determination of the business community at a time when many are under pressure: 

“Businesses across the Illawarra are doing it tough. Costs are rising, red tape is biting, and confidence in some sectors is at its lowest point in years. That makes tonight more important. Taking the time to recognise hard work and achievement sends a powerful message: that resilience and innovation are alive in our region, and that business will remain at the heart of our recovery.” 

“Over 600 leaders in one room are a reminder of our collective strength. When our businesses succeed, our whole community succeeds. These Awards are more than a celebration – they are a statement that the Illawarra is open for business, confident in its future, and proud of the impact we make together.” 

While the Awards are run by Business Illawarra, they are very much everyone’s awards. People from across the region come together to make the night possible – from the more than 30 judges who give their time, to the many sponsors who lend their support, to the local chambers in Shoalhaven and Kiama, whose winners progress to compete at this regional level. This year saw the highest number of applications ever received, a clear sign of the value businesses place on celebrating excellence and standing together as a community. 

Congratulations - Business of the Year: Sicona Battery Technologies 
Sicona’s cutting-edge work in battery innovation has earned it the region’s top business honour. Their dedication to pushing the boundaries in technology, sustainability, and global impact was central to this accolade.  

“By accelerating next-generation battery materials, Sicona is helping power the energy transition — and they’re doing it from right here in the Illawarra. This is innovation that translates into skilled jobs, global customers and helps promote the region as a place to do business, congratulations!” said Coralie McCarthy, Director, Business Illawarra.  

The evening recognised winners across 18 categories, with awards spanning innovation, sustainability, leadership, and community impact. Winners now progress to represent the region at the prestigious NSW Business Awards later this year. 

Business Illawarra thanked IMB Bank, the naming rights sponsor, alongside category sponsors and supporters who made the night possible. 

Photos of winners will be available as they announced via this share folder for media https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/wwt192ov8cy5ffo9xw1hq/AFBlXoB3wt2lwEyd-d3if4w?rlkey=n69admqxox6jspy3oc1lvb0kt&st=f2iologt&dl=0 

Category name 

Winner 

Excellence in Tech 

Green Gravity 

Outstanding Employee 

Tiarna Snow - Housing Trust 

Outstanding Young Business Leader 

Aaron Mulhall - Specialised Energy Solutions 

Outstanding Business Leader  

Matthew Radnidge - Symbio Wildlife Park 

Excellence in International Business 

Sicona Battery Technologies 

Excellence in Workplace Culture 

Housing Trust  

Excellence in Innovation 

PhysioHealth Corrimal 

Excellence in Sustainability 

Green Gravity 

Outstanding Community Organisation 

Multicultural Communities Council of Illawarra 

Excellence in Diversity and Inclusion 

The Flagstaff Group 

Outstanding New Business 

Dharawal Distilling Co. 

Excellence in Micro Business 

Supercalla Private Properties 

Excellence in Small Business 

Tiny Tins 

Excellence in Large Business 

Joint Vision Orthopaedic Group 

Outstanding Local Chamber  

Shoalhaven Business Chamber  

Outstanding Visitor Experience  

Symbio Wildlife Park 

Excellence in Sustainable Tourism  

Symbio Wildlife Park 

Business of the Year 

Sicona Battery Technologies 


— ENDS — 

Media Contact  

Coralie McCarthy  

Director, Business Illawarra 

M: 0417 431 564 

E Coralie.McCarthy@businessnsw.com 


About Business Illawarra


Business Illawarra is the region’s peak business organisation; a not-for-profit advocacy group dedicated to the economic development of the Illawarra, Shoalhaven and Southern Highlands. On behalf of our members, we develop policy and are the leading voice representing business across the region.  


Business Illawarra is owned and supported by Business NSW, the state's leading advocacy voice for business across NSW. Of the few enduring, independent, not-for-profit organisations in Australia, Business NSW is the only one focused on the wellbeing of the business community. Our purpose has always been to provide a strong advocate to all levels of government on issues affecting businesses, undertake research to guide greater public and private sector investment in economic infrastructure, and support the development of workforce capacity and skills in our region.